Christian’s Basic Needs

by: Sister Jessaiah (Joanna Fei Santos)

In this life, there are things that we need and things that we want.

[Needs vs Wants]

Not everything that we want are certainly the things that we need and not all the things that we may need are already given to us.

In other’s cases, though, they are not even aware with what they already have. More often than not, people take things for granted. Human nature as they say. Sometimes we keep on looking everywhere for stuff we don’t even know what. Other times, we get so busy observing, but we pay no attention to the value of things and people around us. We keep seeking, yet we don’t perceive that we already found what we are looking for.

Naturally, we desire a lot of things. However, wanting something doesn’t mean you can always have it. But what are the things that are necessary in our lives?What are the 3 basic needs of man? Food? Shelter? Clothing? Yes. They were the traditional list of immediate “Basic needs”. But the modern list emphasizes the minimum level of consumption of basic needs, were not just those three, but also Sanitation, Education and Healthcare.

Here is the importance of the “Basic Needs” of a man.

FOOD

Base on different studies, food is a key element in maintaining our overall physical well being. It provides nutritional support in our body. For that reason, food is necessary in order to live.

 (Matthew 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

But in our SPIRITUAL LIFE, we are sustained by the nourishment from the word of God. Hence, we need not just physical food but also God’s word in order to live. Our soul also needs sustenance as much as our physical body. For His scriptures will give us TRULY LIFE, an everlasting life. It nurtures our soul and well being as a whole. It is a requisite in our life that one cannot do without.

[John 6:35 NIV] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

While listening to the word of God is indispensable, it is not enough. We must understand, not just hear. Most importantly, we need to have faith in His words. But take note, FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS NOTHING. Living by the word of God is vital in our life, for it brings joy and positive attitude in our soul that helps us become strong physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We love to eat different kinds of food, but not everything we take is good for our health. Unlike the word of God, it nurtures not just our soul, but also our physical and mental ability. We will gain not just knowledge, but WISDOM upon hearing, understanding and living by His scriptures.

SHELTER

According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, shelter is a place that provides protection from a bad weather or dangerous circumstances that are often provided by a house or a place where we live. But no matter what kind of materials we use in building our houses, it can only give us limited and short-term protection. To have a well built house doesn’t guarantee us protection from all kinds of harm. Natural calamities and force majeure can tear down even the buildings with very strong structures and indestructible houses in a blink of an eye, for they are stronger and unpredictable now more than ever. But there is a shelter that can never be destroyed by any means. Do you believe that there is such a thing?

 Jubilee Bible 2000: I will say of the LORD, He is my hope and my fortress: my God; in him will I secure myself

 [Psalm 92:1 NIV] “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will rest in the shadow of Almighty.”

Our hope in God is our safest and strongest shelter and it is everlasting. Let us put our highest HOPE in God for He can give us protection from everything, always.

CLOTHING

Do we really need this?

Clothing is important because it reflects our culture, personality and preferences. We also use this to cover our nakedness, protect our body from extreme temperature and from harmful elements that may affect our body. In today’s modern day, people use clothes to express their selves. However, as Christians, we are not just looking for what is good for our physical appearance. No matter how luxurious a dress may be, it will still fade and be broken sooner or later. Sometimes, we keep on changing our outfits depending on what is trending

But according to God…

[Colossians 3:14 New Living Translation] “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

The cloth that we must never wear off is LOVE. This is the type of garment that will never be out of trend. We must learn AGAPE, a love that is unconditional, selfless and everlasting kind of love. We may be covered with beautiful, trendy or luxurious dresses, but we should not forget to be clothed with love. It is better to express yourself in love because it is a wonderful feeling to love and to be loved.

 [1 Corinthians 16:14 English Standard Version] “Let all that you do be done in love.”

FOOD, SHELTER, and CLOTHING

Most people consider that these things are what we need in order to live. What they do not know is that FAITH, HOPE and LOVE are what will give us real happiness and success in life. Not just a triumphant life but we may take hold of the true life which is the eternal life.

[1 Timothy 6:19 KJV] “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Now, are you still afraid to have nothing to eat?

Are you still scared to lose your house?

Are you still worried of what to wear?

[MATTHEW 6:25 NIV] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

 Always remember, Faith is our food, Hope is our shelter and most important is LOVE which is the garment that protects us in all situations and struggle in our lives. For love is from God and His love will never fail us.

[1 Corinthians 13:13 – New Living Translation] “Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love.”